Pinfall signaling mechanism



July 28, 1953 M. PATTERSON PINFALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12,1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR MOREHEAD- PATTERSON ATTORNEY i y 8, 1953M- PATTERSON ,646,984

PINFALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 438 PLi 532 INVENTOR MOREHEAD PATTERSON y 1953 M. PATTERSON 2,646,984

PINFALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 3 TORZ-RS I INVENTOR MOREHEAD PATTERSON ATTORN Y Patented July 28, 1953UNITED STATES PIN FALL SIGNALING MECHANISM Morehead Patterson, New York,N. Y., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation ofNew Jersey Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,739

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of bowling, and more particularly tomechanism for indicating or signalling the pin-fall results obtained byeach ball of a frame rolled by a bowler.

The invention creates generally to improvements in means for use in a,bowling pin spotting machine such as shown in copending Fluke and Flintapplication, S. N. 59,706, filed November 12, 1948, for Bowling PinSpotting Machine, in which after each ball of a frame is rolled,mechanism is actuated to test for the presence or absence of standingpins, and selectively actuated signalling means operatively associatedtherewith is operated to indicate visibly by means of an annunciator orsimilar device, the number of pins knocked down by each ball, thepositions of standing and fallen pins, and also the occurrence ofstrikes and spares.

The problem solved by the present invention is that of providing adevice for placing bowling pins on a bowling alley having mechanismassociated therewith, such as each set of movable grippers forming apart of each respotter unit of the type disclosed in the above referredto application, such that the several sets of grippers when located ingripper operating position are moved towards each other, or intogripping relationship relative to standing on or off-spot pins, andselectively operated detecting devices operate signals in an annunciatorand indicate the presence or absence of standing pins. In this manner,positive visual information is given that certain pins are standing orthat a strike or a spare has been made, as the case may be. The pinrespotting units are carried by a table movable into testing or pingripping position adjacent a bowling alley after each ball of a frame isrolled, so that the signalling mechanism can be operated. In this way acompete visual picture is given to the bowler of the results obtainedfor every ball he rolls. While reference is made to the co-pending Flukeand Flint application, as disclosing a machine in which the subjectmatter of the invention is readily adaptable, it is within thecontemplation of this invention to use my improved indicating andsignalling mechanism on other machines of the same general type withwhich it can be adapted.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved pin-falldetecting and indicating mechanism including an annunciator for use insignalling the pin-fall resulting from each ball rolled by a bowler.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel pin-fallsignalling device including detecting elements which test for thepresence or absence of standing pins on a bowling alley after each ballof a frame is rolled, and control mechanism operatively connected withthe detecting elements for operating the signalling de- 2 vice to showthe pin-fall results for each ball, and the positions of standing pinson the alley.

The invention also consists in improvements in detecting elements anddevices associated therewith for placing bowling pins on the playing bedof a bowling alley, wherein the testing devices are actuated after eachball .of a frame is rolled to test for the presence or absence ofstanding bowling pins, and selective mechanism operated in response tothe operation of the detecting elements to actuate signals in order tomake known visually play by play results, including the occurrence ofspares and strikes.

My invention is further characterized by the provision of bowling pindetecting and signalling mechanism which is operative to detectautomatically the presence or absence of non-conducting, unmodifiedbowling pins, and after each ball of a, frame is rolled, to actuatesignalling mechanism to inform a bowler of the presence or absence ofpins standing on a bowling alley.

My invention also consists in the provision of detecting devicesassociated with sets of opposed grippers whereby during the play of agame, the engagement or non-engagement of standing pins by the grippersselectively actuates an annunciator which apprises a bowler and thosewatching the game of the pinfall results obtained by each ball of aframe rolled.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and wherein the several reference characters designate the same or likeelements:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pin spotting and respotting deviceembodying the pin detecting and signalling means operating mechanism ofthe invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of themechanism shown in Fi ure 1; and

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram showing a preferred system for operatingand controlling the operation of the signalling mechanism of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of theinvention in Figures 1 and 2, there is disclosed a pin spotting and respotting table designated generally I.

The construction of table T may be the same as that disclosed anddescribed in detail in the above referred to copending Fluke and Flintapplication. The description and showing of this mechanism in thisapplication is therefore limited to what is deemed necessary to a fullunderstanding of the invention.

Table T preferably has the form of a generally triangular frameworkwhich supports the spotting and respotting devices. Attached to theopposite rear corners of table T, as viewed at the top of Figure l, aresupports 332, each of which mounts a guide plate 334 which engages andruns in spaced sets of guide rollers 335 mounted in brackets 338attached to side frames I33. In this manner table T is guided in itsmovement to and from a pin receiving position beneath a pin assemblingmechanism (not shown), a pin spot-' ting position, and a pin respottingposition relative to a bowling alley upon which bowling pins are spottedand respotted,

In order to lower, raise and position table T for testing for thepresence or absence of standing pins after each ball of a frame isrolled, there is provided a cross shaft 345 mounted in hearings inbrackets 342 attached to the frame structure of table T. At itsextremities, shaft 343 supports crank arms mounted for free rotationthereon. Connecting rods 346 connect the free ends of crank arms 544 todriving arms (not shown) fixed to the ends of a drive shaft (not shown)which, with other actuating mechanism (not shown), is operative to lowerand raise table T, and locate it at the desired position where gripperbars 454 are actuated to engage standing on and off-spot pins to berespotted, and also to test for the presence or absence of pins standingon the alley after each ball of a frame is rolled. The specificoperating connections and mechanisms for moving table T upwardly anddownwardly and holding it positioned at signal operating position arenot a part of the present invention and are therefore omitted in theinterest of brevity. Reference is made to the co-pending Fluke and Flintapplication for a complete disclosure of this mechanism.

Mounted on the upper part of table T is a triangularly arrangedplurality of pin spotting units 5|, each of which includes a pin guidingfunnel F and a set of movable pin supporting plates or trap doors 452located therebeneath constructed and operated as disclosed in said Flukeand Flint application. Bowling pins to be placed in triangular spottedplaying positions on a bowling alley are delivered by doors 452 at theproper time in spotted playing arrangement on the alley.

Table T is provided with a lower frame consisting of spaced transversechannel sections 436, 438, 440, 442 and 444 connected by laterallyspaced longitudinal channels 446 to form an assembly which makes upa-series of ten substantially rectangular cells R. Each cell R has itscentral vertical axis disposed in substantially vertical alignment withthe axis of one of a set of ten pins P supported in spotter units 5|corresponding to the playing positions the pins occupy on the alley.

Mounted in the lower frame of table T within each cell R is a pair ofopposed bars or rods 454 which perform the functions of gripping pins tobe lifted and respotted, and also testing for the presence or absence ofstanding pins after each ball of a frame is rolled. Bars or rods 454 arelocated beneath and in symmetrical arrangement with each set of doors452. They may be formed of wood, metal, plastic or combinations. Eachbar preferably is provided with a covering, such as a resilientmaterial, usually rubber, which insures a firm grip on the neck of a pinand tends to prevent marring or other damage thereto.

It is evident that since each bar 454 is elongated, the presence orabsence of a pin, which may be quite far off-spot, can be detected, and

made known on the annunciator 20. It is also to be noted that myimproved mechanism operates with free, conventional types of bowlingpins and does not require that they be modified or provided withconducting elements in order to obtain the desired results.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, each of the doors 452 of a pin spotterunit 5| consists essentially of a rectangular support, attached to orformed integrally with a hinge member 458 pivotally mounted on hinge pin4B9. Doors 452 perform the dual function of supporting and guiding pinsto be spotted, and also holding pins to be lifted and respotted in theirrespective on or off-spot positions so that such pins can be grippedproperly for lifting and respotting. For this reason, the underside ofeach door preferably is provided with an undersurface which, when tableT is lowered to respotting position, engages the head end of a standingpin and holds it firmly against lateral movement on the alley. Aresilient material, such as sponge rubber pad 453, has been found to besatisfactory for this purpose.

The gripper bars 454 of each set in cells R are operated at the propertime to move towards each other in a plane substantially parallel withthe surface of the playing bed of a bowling alley for gripping andholding any standing pins for lifting and respotting on the bowlingalley. Gripper bars 454 are actuated, as described hereinafter, to gripand hold such standing on and offspot pins after each ball of a frame,except the last ball. After each ball, however, gripper bars 454 aremoved towards each other and in this manner, they test for the presenceor absence of any standing on or ofi-spot pins and actuate mechanismdescribed hereinbelow to indicate the pinfall effected by each ballrolled.

The opposed pairs of gripper bars 454, as indi cated in Figure 1, extendlongitudinally relative to a bowling alley, although if desired, theycould extend transversely or at an angle to the longitudinal axis of theframe of table T. In their full open or inoperative positions, bars :154are located adjacent the opposite sides of cells B. One end of eachgripper bar 454 is provided with a freely rotatable roller locatedbeneath a guide bar 533 attached to a channel section, as for example436. Roller 539 runs on a flange 53! formed on a transverse horizontaltrack bar 532 attached to a transverse member of a cell R.

In the illustrated embodiment, see Figures 1 and 2, actuation of eachset of gripper bars 454 is effected by a self-centering five-bar linkageunit consisting of a pair of downwardly extending links 534, a pair oflinks and a cross link 538. A common pivot 53!? between links 536 isattached to a slide 540 mounted for movement in a vertical guide track542 attached to the upper flange of one of the transverse channels436-444 by a clip 543, depending on the location of each slide 545 inrelation to the triangulariy arranged sets of actuating links andlevers. The outer ends of links 535 are pivotally attached at 537 to theupper ends of links 534, which in turn are pivotally connected betweentheir ends to link 538. The structure of and means for operating thefive bar linkage unit are essentially the same as shown and described insaid Fluke et al. application. Since this structure and means form nospecific part of the present invention, further description and showingherein are deemed unnecessary.

Tension springs 545 are attached to the lower end of track 542 and toclips (not shown) on pendant links 534. Springs 546 'are used to balanceout the otherwise unbalanced forces occurring when the linkage mechanismis in one or another of its off center positions.

In operation, the simultaneous upward movement of the several slides 549causes an angular displacement of the five-bar linkages described, suchthat gripper bars 454 will be urged away from each other into theirinoperative positions. This movement of gripper bars 454 is confined toa straight line motion in a horizontal plane by virtue of the roller andtrack arrangements 530, 532. Similarly, a downward motion of slide 540causes gripper bars 454 to move towards each other. When this occurs,each pair of gripper bars 454 can assume any .position between the sidesof its cell R depending upon the onor onspot position of the pinengaged, or engaged and gripped by them. In the embodiment illustratedand as mentioned above, there are provided come pressible clampingsurfaces which clamp pins engaged by bars 454 upon the alley. In theoperation of the pin detecting and signalling mechanism of the presentinvention, these clamping surfaces can be omitted if desired. Thus, whena normal on-spot pin is to be engaged by bars 454, or gripped and heldthereby, each of the bars 454 moves substantially the same distance fromits inoperative position adjacent the side of a cell R into grippingengagement with the opposite sides of the neck of a pin. Gripping bars454 are so located that when table T is located in position to test forthe presence or absence of standing pins, or pin gripping position, bars454 can engage and grip the necks of any standing pins to be lifted, orrelease the necks of any respotted pins.

If a pin to be lifted and respotted occupies an ofi-spot position, eachbar 454 of a set of bars in a cell R is moved in such a manner that assoon as the bar 454 nearest the pin engages it, the movement of the baris arrested.- The other gripper bar 454 of the pair, however, continuesits forward movement into gripping engagement ,with the opposite side ofthe neck of the pin,

whereupon its motion is arrested and the pin is firmly gripped forlifting. The same operation takes place simultaneously with each of theten pairs of gripper bars 454. It will be seen, therefore, that becauseof its operating connections,

each bar 454 is given an on-spot, off-spot range which allows each pairof bars to grip a pin anywhere within the general area of a cell R. Theprovision of elongated gripper bars or rollers 454 makes possible thepositive gripping of on and off-spot pins over substantially the entirearea occupied by bowling pins on the pin supporting deck of an alley,which is a greater area than heretofore available for this purpose.Parallelism of gripper bars 454 is maintained by the inherent torsionalrigidity of pendant links 534 coupled with the resistance to bending andtorsion of the rest of the five-bar linkage, and its associated partsand attachments, which make possible the individual and differentialtravel of each bar 454 of a pair of gripper bars 454 towards an on oroff-spot pin.

Since the operation of the gripper mechanism in each cell R isidentical; the description is lim ited to the operation of one set ofgripper bars 454, such as shown in cell R, Figures 1 and 2,corresponding to #1 pin position.

A crank arm 590 is freely journalled on shaft 566 near its center. shaft566 adjacent crank arm 599. A drive pin A collar 592 is secured to 593,Figure 2, fixed to collar 592 engages slot 594 in crank arm 590. Atorque spring 596 surrounding shaft 555 has one end attached to crankarm 599 and its opposite end to an adjusting sleeve 598 encircling shaft566 and terminating at a point adjacent the hub of arm 599. Alsoattached to sleeve 598 is one end of locking spring 600 whichfrictionally engages shaft 566 to positively position and lock spring596 with respect to shaft 566. The spring force exerted by spring 596 issuch as to urge the outer end of crank arm 590 in a downward directionwith respect to shaft 566, but such movement is normally prevented bydrive pin 593 engaging the end of slot 594, as indicated in Figure 2.The outer end of crank arm 599 is pivotally attached at GM to one end ofa connecting link 502. The other end of connecting link 602 is attachedby a cross-pin to pivot 539 between slide 549 and links 535. It can beseen that a counterclockwise motion of crank arm 599 will, throughconnecting link 602, cause a downward movement of slide 549. Conversely,a clockwise motion of crank arm 590 will cause an upward movement ofslide 540. This is the motion necessary for the operation of thefive-bar linkage which in turn actuates gripper arms 454 in the mannerdescribed.

As slide 540 is moved downwardly, gripper bars 454 engage and grip theneck of a pin; further counter-clockwise motion of crank arm 590 isarrested. Drive pin 593 attached to collar 592 on shaft 569, may,however, continue its counter-clockwise motion within the space providedby slot 594. This allows, in a cell where no pin is present, continuedcounter-clockwise motion of crank arm 59!), drive pin 593, and theaccompanying shaft as contrasted to an arrested or shorter stroke motionof crank arm 594.

The operating crank arm 590 for each set of gripper bars 454 is providedwith a tab 604, Figure 2. A switch bracket 588, on which is mounted anoperating switch, such as switch SWI for #1 pin grippers, and a switchactuator BIB are also provided for each set of grippers 454. Each tab604 is provided with an adjustable operating set screw 566. Since thereare ten sets of grippers 454, ten switches SWI-SWIO inclusive areprovided. These switches are connected in the operating control circuitshown in Figure 3 and described in detail hereinbelow.

In operation, when table T is located at pin testing position after aball is rolled, which is also the respotting position, each set ofgrippers is actuated and gripper bars 454 move towards each other. Inthe event that a set of gripper bars 454 engage a standing on oroff-spot pin as they move together, the set screw 595 of this set ofgrippers is prevented from engaging its switch actuator, say actuatorBIB of switch SWI. Therefore switch SWI is not operated and a signal,such as the signal light corresponding to pin #1, glows, therebyindicating in annunciator 29 that #1 pin is standing. Because of therelatively wide operating range of elongated gripper bars 454, it isimmaterial whether pin #1 is on or oiT-spot. A similar operation takesplace for all other standing pins; the engagement of any set of gripperbars with a standing pin preventing the operation of the switch whichcontrols the operation of a suitable signal, such as a light inannunciator 29 corresponding to the position of that standing pin.

If any pin, say pin #1, has been knocked down,

gripper bars 454 continue their movement to wards and into engagementwith each other; In this case, crank arm 590, which operates the set ofgrippers 454 corresponding to #1 pin posi tion, moves tab 664 to such anextent that set screw 606 thereon engages and operates switch actuatorem for the corresponding switch SWI, operating the switch and preventingsignal light No. 1 from glowing. A similar operation takes place withall other sets of grippers 454 where pins have been knocked down by thesame ball. It can be seen that the presence or absence of standing pinsafter each ball of a frame is rolled, is detected automatically and anelectrically operated control circuit is employed to visually indicatein annunciator 20 the pin-fall result. In the case of a strike or whenall pins are knocked down by the first ball of a frame, all switchesSWI-SV/IS are operated and none of the pin signals 1-10 inclusive isoperated. Instead, a signal, such as a separate strike light ST, seeFigure 3, is energized to show that a strike has been made. If a spareis made or when all pins not knocked down by the first ball are felledby the second ball of a frame, a separate spare signal, such as lightSP, is operated to indicate visually the result obtained. While thepin-fall signals have been described as being lights, if desired, othersuitable types of visual signals could be employed. It will be noted, asshown in Figure 3, that the ten signal lights, which are used toindicate visually the pin-fall results or each ball thrown, are arrangedin conformity with the customary playing arrangement of pins on abowling alley. Obviously, any other desired arrangement could beemployed.

In the description hereinabove, the selective signal operating mechanismis operated in such a manner that the pin position signals or lights inannunciator 20 are operated to indicate the pins which remain standingafter each ball is rolled. It is possible that it might be desirable toindicate instead, the pins which have been knocked down. In this case,switches SWI-SW i 8 inclusive can be so connected in the control circultthat pin signals or lights corresponding to fallen pins can beenergized, and pin signals 01' lights corresponding to standing pinsremain inoperative.

A wiring diagram of a control system suitable for carrying out thedesired operations of the detecting and signalling mechanisms describedhereinabove, is shown in Figure 3. The operation is as follows:

Pin spotting-respotting table T carries ten normally closed pin switchesSWl-SWES inclusive, each of which is connected to a relay Ri-RH)inclusive, respectively. All ten relays are assembled in a control boxB, and each individual relay, in a manner described below, is connectedto a pin signal lamp 1-10 inclusive, respectively, assembled in anannunciator 29. Each relay RI-Riil is provided with three sets ofnormally open contacts. Contacts a may be called holdin contacts.Contacts 1) can be termed no-pin standing contacts, and contacts c," pinlight energizing contacts.

Annunciator 28 also supports a spare signal lamp SP and a strikeindicator lamp ST. Signal light SP is connected to a set of normallyopen contacts of spare relay BIZ, and signal light ST is connected to aset of normally open contacts of strike relay RI4. The circuit includesalso a so-called no-pin standing relay RIB, a ratchet relay Hi8 of anysuitable well-known design, and

a pin light hold-in relay R20. The circuit furthermore includes threecontrol cams 22, 24 and 26, all of which are secured to a shaft 28 whichis driven by suitable mechanism from the table drive (not shown) and inproper timed relation with the movement of table T. Each cam rotates 180for each cycle of the table, i. e. for each ball of a frame rolled by abowler.

It is assumed that ten pins are standing on the alley and the playerrolls his first ball and knocks down the #1 and #10 pins. After the ballreaches the end of the alley, the machine is set in operation and tableT descends toward the alley. The movement of the table also starts theturning of cam shaft 28, and cams 22, 24, and 26 turn in the directionindicated by the arrows. When table T reaches a predetermined heightabove the alley, grippers 454 close and securely hold those pins whichare now standing, namely, pins #2-#9 inclusive. Those grippers whichfind no standing pins, close together, and in so doing, set screws 666on tabs 604, corresponding to pins #1 and #10, engage switch actuators610 and open normally closed pin switches SW! and SW"). At this point,the control earns 22 and 24 have advanced sufficiently to cause cam 22to close contacts 22a, and cam 24 to close contacts 241. The closing ofcontacts 22a permits current to flow from the power line 30 throughclosed switches SW2-SW9 inclusive and through the coils of theirrespective light relays R2-R9 inclusive, thereby energizing theserelays. The closing of contacts 241' permits current to flow through aswitch 241]. which energizes hold-in relay R20, the closing of which inturn provides power through the now closed contacts R2a-R9a of relaysR2-R9 inclusive, which are held in. The energization of these relayscauses the closing of contacts R2b-R9b, and also contacts R20- Rinclusive. The closing of the latter effects a lighting of the pinindicator lights 2-9 in annunciator 29. The Rib-RIM) contacts on RI-Rlfl relays are provided for the purpose of causing energization of theno-pin standing relay R16 if one or more of the Rl-RID relays areenergized. The energization of relay RIB causes the opening of contacts16a which prevents the flow of power to either contacts 261- or 26L Itis evident from the foregoing that the opening of switches SWI and SWiDprevents current from flowing to their respective relays RI and RH],which in turn prevent the #1 and #10 pin signal lights in annunciator 20from glowing while signal lights #2-#9 inclusive are energized and givevisible indication that all pins but Nos. 1 and 10 remain standing onthe alley after the first ball is thrown by the player. Table T thenrises, lifting pins Nos. 2-9 inclusive, and the alley is cleared of thefallen pins by means of a suitable sweep (not shown), after which tableT descends and respots pins Nos. 2-9 inclusive on the alley. Table Tthen rises and remains inan up position, thereby ending what may betermed the first ball cycle of the machine. As soon as the table comesto rest, shaft 28 also comes to rest, and cam 22 stops in a positionwhich causes contacts 22a to open, thereby preventing power from flowingthrough contacts 220. to relays R2-R9, which were formerly energized bythis means.

Since it may be desirable to keep the pin signal lights, indicatingstanding pins, lighted until the bowler has thrown his second ball, cam24 is so designed that contacts 241" remain closed until table T startsto move downwardly again at the beginning of the second ball cycle. Asmentioned heretofore, the closing of contacts 241* effects a hold-in ofall formerly energized relays R2-R9. After the bowler has thrown thesecond ball of the frame, table T descends again. This effects therotation of contact cam .shaft 28, causing cam 24 to open contacts 241",permitting relays R.2-R9 inclusive, which were locked-in, to fall outbefore table T reaches the alley to test for the presence or absence ofpins on the alley during the second ball cycle.

When table T reaches its predetermined position above the alley andgrippers 454 close to contact any pins remaining standing after thesecond ball of a frame is rolled, the same operation takes place asduring the first ball. cycle, namely: cam 22 recloses contacts 22a, cam24 recloses contacts 241', and only those relays RI-RI inclusive areenergized which are supplied with current through their respectiveswitches SWI- SWIG, which remain closed because their respectivegrippers engage standing pins. This will therefore cause an energizationof their respective relays, which in turn will light only the respectivepin signal lights in annunciator 20 indicating which pin or pins remainstanding after the second ball is thrown by a bowler. During a secondball cycle, grippers 454 are only closed for the purpose of detectingthe presence or absence of standing pins, after which they open againand table T rises above the alley, which is then cleared of all fallenand/or standing pins by means of a suitable sweep (not shown). Table Tthen descends a second time and places a new set of pins on the alley,after which the table rises again and remains in an up position abovethe alley. The machine is now ready for a new frame of bowling. Cam 24is so designed as to permit all relays RI-RIII to drop out at the end ofthe second cycle, while at the end of the first cycle, the energizedrelays are held in locked-in position until the beginning of the secondcycle.

Spare-In case the player has knocked down all pins during the secondball cycle, all grippers 454, finding no standing pins, close togetherand cause the opening of all switches SWI- SWIE! inclusive, therebypreventing the energization of all relays RI-RIIJ inclusive. Since noneof these relays is energized, relay contact I But remains closed. In themeantime, the high portion of cam 26 has reached a position where iteffects a closing of its left side contact 261, permitting current toflow from the power line 30 through contacts I6a, 261, switch 26a, and anormally closed contact RI 4c of relay RI 4 to energize spare signallight relay RI 2. The energization of relay RIZ closes its contactsRIZa, resulting in the lighting of the spare signal light SP inannunciator 20. At the end of the second ball cycle, the power isinterrupted again as contacts 261 are opened again by the low portion ofcam 26.

Strike-In case all pin are knocked down by the first ball after table Tdescends to the alley, all grippers 454 move towards each other to testfor the presence or absence of standing pins in the usual manner. Sinceno pins are standing, grippers 454 close all the way, causing theopening of all switches SWI-SWIQ inclusive, and none of the relay RI-RIGis energized. Therefore, relay RIE remains inactive and contacts learemain in closed position. Since the turning of shaft 28 cause the highportion of cam 26 to close contacts 261*, current is now supplied fromthe power line 36 through contacts IEa, 2-61", and switch 2% to ratchetrelay R I 8, causing energiza- 10 tion of the latter. The ratchet relayRIB ac= tuates a cam 32 provided with equally spaced alternating highand low portions which engage a cam follower on one end of a bell cranklever 34 while the other end of bell crank lever 34 is connected to arod 36 which engages with the switches 24a, 26b and 25a. The hook-up isarranged in such a manner that all switches 24a, 25b and 26a close theirright side contacts when bell crank lever 34 engages a low portion ofcam 32, and switch over and close their left side contacts when lever 34engages a high portion of cam 32. The action of the ratchet relay Rl8 issuch that upon each energization, cam 32 is turned in such a manner asto alternately engage a high and low portion with bell crank lever 34.Ratchet relay RI8 is also provided with a I normally open contact 18a,which is momentarily closed upon each energization of relay RI8.Therefore, when ratchet relay RIS is energized, as described above,contacts Illa are closed momentarily and provide power for theenergization of strike relay RM. The latter is locked-in immediately bypower provided through contacts 22a which are closed due to the rotationof cam 22. As mentioned heretofore, th energization of ratchet relay RIBcauses the movement of bell crank lever 34 to shift switches 24a, 26b,and 26a. Although switch 26b caused the energization of ratchet relayRiS, due to the shifting of switch 26?), power to relay RI8 isinterrupted and it is almost immediately de-energized. Since strikerelay R i 4, as described above, is locked-in through its contacts Rlsa,its second set of contacts RMb remain also closed and cause the strikesignal light ST in annunciator 20 to glow. The third set of contactsRI4c remain open so long as relay RI i is energized, thus preventing anycurrent from reaching spare light SP. Strike light ST is extinguishednear th end of the cycle when cam 22 causes the opening of contacts 22aand interrupts the current to strike relay RI4. It is evident that theshifting of switches 24a, 26b, and 26a is of importance in order toshift the signal control mechanism back to a first ball cycle each timeafter a strike is made by the bowler.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims, for the particular mbodiments selected toillustrate the invention are but a few of the possible concrete formswhich the invention may assume. Th invention, therefore, is not to berestricted to the precise details of the structures shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. Pin signalling mechanism for use with a bowling pin spotting machinecomprising a member movable to and from the playing bed of a bowlingalley, an annunciator, said annunciator including a plurality of pinsignal lights arranged in conformity with the playing arrangement ofpins on said alley bed, pin holding units on said member, said unitsincluding sets of opposed grippers carried by said member and arrangedin a pattern conforming to the playing arrangement of pins on said alleybed, annunciator operating mechanism for energizing said lightssubsequent to the positioning of said member in pin gripping positionabove said alley, said mechanism including individual switch meansnormally operable to energize corresponding signal lights, meansoperative in response to the throwing of a ball for moving said sets ofgrippers towards each other, and means operative in response to themovement of said gripper moving means beyond a position necessary toengage said grippers with standing pins for incapacitating said switchmeans corresponding to sets of grippers not gripping pins.

2. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley, adevice adapted to be moved to and from said alley for placing pins inplaying arrangement thereon, sets of opposed pin holding grippersmounted on said device, individual operating means for said sets ofgrippers, individual switches for connection in a signal circuit, andmeans for operating corresponding switches in response to closingmovement of any of said gripper operating means beyond the positionnecessary for bringing the grippers of a set of grippers into engagementwith a standing pin.

3. In a bowling pin-fall signalling mechanism, a device for spotting andrespotting bowling pins on the playing bed of a bowling alley, anannunciator, said annunciator having a strike signal and a plurality ofsignals for registering pin-fall, each of said signals representing theposition a pin corresponding thereto occupies on said bed of saidbowling alley, sets of pin grippers carried by said device, means foroperating each of said sets of grippers, switch operating meansconnected to each of said gripper operating means, a switch mounted inposition to be engaged by each of said operating means, an electriccircuit connecting said strike signal and said switches and said pinfallregistering signals, and means individual to each set of grippersoperative in response to the rolling of a ball for actuating asidgripper operating means to move said grippers towards each other to testfor the presence or absence of standing pins on said alley bed,mechanism actuated by said gripper operating means in response to themovement of said gripper operating means beyond a position necessary toengage said grippers with a standing pin for operating the switchescorresponding to grippers not engaging standing pins for actuatingsignals corresponding to the positions of fallen pins, and other meansoperative in response to the falling of all pins for operating saidstrike signal.

4. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley havinga bed adapted to support a plurality of bowling pins, a device adaptedto be moved to and from said bed for placing bowling pins in playingarrangement on said alley bed and for testing for the presence orabsence of pins standing thereon after the rolling of a ball,anannu-nciator, said annunciator including a separate strike light, aseparate spare light and a plurality of pin signal lights arranged inconformit with the playing arrangement of pins on said alley bed, setsof opposed pin grippers mounted on said device, an annunciator operatingelement operatively connected with each of said sets of grippers, meansmounting said sets of grippers on said device in an arrangementconforming substantially with the playing arrangement of bowling pins onsaid alley bed, means individual to each set of grippers operative inresponse to the rolling of a ball for moving said opposed gripperstoward each other into position to engage opposite sides of the neckportions of standing pins, and selective control mechanism actuated inresponse to the movement of said last named means beyond a positionnecessary to engage said grippers with a standing pin for selectivelyoperating selected signals corresponding to pins not stand- 12 ing onsaid alley to indicate visibly the result of each ball of a framerolled, and other means operative in response to the movement of saidlast-named means of all sets of grippers beyond said position foractuating said strike or said spare light.

5. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley havinga bed adapted to support a plurality of bowling pins, a device forplacing bowling pins in playing arrangement on said alley bed, anannunciator, said annuciator including a separate strike light, aseparate spare light and a plurality of pin signal lights arranged inconformity with the playing arrangement of pins on said alley bed, setsof opposed pin grippers mounted on said device, an an-- nunciatoroperating element operatively connected with each of said sets ofgrippers, means mounting said sets. of grippers on said device in anarrangement conforming substantially with the playing arrangement ofbowling pins on said alley bed, means individual to each set of grippersoperative in response to the throwing of a ball for moving said opposedgrippers towards each other into position to engage the oppo- Site sidesof the handle ends of standing pins, selective control mechanismactuated by said last-named means in response to the movement of any ofsaid last-named means beyond a position necessary to engage saidgrippers with a standing pin for selectively operating signalscorresponding to fallen pins not gripped by said grippers to indicatevisibly the result of each ball of a frame rolled, and other selectivecontrol mechanism operative by said last-named means if all pins areknocked down by the first ball of a frame for actuating said strikesignal or for actuating said spare signal if all pins are knocked downby the second ball of a frame.

6. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a bowling pin spotting table, aplurality of sets of substantially triangularly arranged spotting unitsmounted, on said table, each of said units including clamping means, anda set of opposed grippers, said table being adapted to be located inposition to engage said means in clamping relationship with pinsstanding on a bowling alley after a ball is rolled, gripper operatingmeans operative while said pins are held clamped against lateralmovement on said alley to move said sets of grippers adjacent standingon or cit-spot pins into gripping engagement with opposite sides of saidstanding pins, an annunciator including individual signals for each ofsaid sets of grippers, an annunciator operating mechanism, andselectively operated means actuated by said gripper operating means inresponse to the movement of said gripper operating means beyond a pointnecessary to engage a set of grippers with a standing pin for actuatingsaid an-nunci-ator operating mechanism to energize a signalcorresponding to a fallen pin not gripped by the grippers of said set ofgrippers and indicate the pinfall results of said ball.

MOREI-IEAD. PATTERSON.

References Cited inv the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 2,300,802 Parra et al. Nov. 3, 1942 2,338,733 Pattersonet a1 Jan. 11, 1944. 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 1-3, 1945

